I have to say thank you to all my design team, for thier hard work. They are KILLING the samples this month. I am very blessed to have such a wonderful team. I also want to thank Sara Williams, as she loads all my stuff and does a TON of other things, amongst designing paper for me too. I also want to thank Kristin as well for all her hard work and design contributions this month, despite her busy schedule! She not only has the paper, but also designs some of the cut files with me, one in which inspired 2 stamp sets!

Now as you have seen ALL our new products coordinate! They always make the perfect items for gift giving 😀 I like showing you that what we have is very versatile and perfect for the “card-maker” or scrapper! So today my design team and I are ALL sharing some CARD ideas with you, using the NEW! Pretty Impressions stamps from the June Release.

Now the ideas do NOT end today! We have a week left of sharing more and more projects with you. I am so proud to have a company that offers THIS MANY projects over an extended period of time 😀 Endless ideas.

If time allowed I personally could make a 100 projects with everything we put out monthly! LOL! My brain gets running, but so does the clock.

Any-who…..

I really wanted to show you all just how fun and versatile the Well Preserved stamp set actually is! I also think it will help you to visualize just HOW MUCH you are getting in just one set 😀

Between all the fun various fruit images, and the “everyday” fruity sentiments I knew I could make a bunch of cards for any occasion.

So to share with you the different looks you can achieve, and prove just how easy it CAN be…….I used the same layout, along with every fruit image in the Well Preserved set: Apple, Blueberry, Cherry, Grape, Orange which can also be a Lemon/Lime/or Grapefruit) , Maple Leaf, Peach (can be apricot, or plum too), Pear, Raspberry (can be blackberry or other berry), and the Strawberry-to create 10 cards!

Here is the MTME Sketch 01:

I created a special PDF document of the Sketch for you to download! It has the sizes of the layers, as well as the sketch photo for you to use as a reference!

Some of you may prefer one jar style over the other, but either way both are seriously cute and are well served in the set. I was also sure to make each card a little special and unique by doing something to make it a little different than the others.

When creating my designs I decided I wanted to use all the various sentiments, and found they would all fit in various “ovals”. I was also able to use both of the little leaves in the set, stamped on either side of the sentiments. NO SENTIMENT IS REPEATED!! How cool is that?

For this collection I made each different. I LOVE the colors, and the use of Sunflower cardstock as the main layer!

I can’t believe how different each card ACTUALLY looks.

3) Just Pear-fect

I LOVE having the blue & green on my pear card. I wouldn’t have thought to add the touch of blue, had I not printed my vintage stripped paper! For the oval I used a scallop cut file I had in my files, but the SU! Scallop/Oval would work too 😀

I love pears and the “Pear-fect” sentiment. The paper makes this POP. My pear “jam” is colored in a pale green, and again my lid is paper pieced. What stands out to me is the colors. Again, I love them.

4) Apple of my eye

I love this. Every detail.

I used the Apple sentiment from the Well Preserved set, then for the “of my eye” sentiment, I used the Lunch Box Love Notes Add On’s . Mixin and matchin!!

I love the colors of ALL these collections. I had WAY too much fun, in case you can’t tell.

Having a layout is GREAT! Makes the process FLOW.

7) Here is the “Orange you sweet”

I have to admit I felt SO CLEVER thinking up this one! I inked up my “orange” sentiment, then I used markers to ink up the “you” and “sweet” from the “You make life sweet” sentiment.

I actually wanted to KICK myself for NOT putting it IN the set originally, but I didn’t even THINK of it until I made the card!

I adore the orange/lemon/lime/grapefruit wedge immensely! Makes me think of Iced Tea in the summer. I know sounds weird, but I have fond memories of my mom and I, sitting out on the porch all summer sipping ice tea with fresh lemons and having girl talk.

8) Homemade Just For You

OH! I do love that sentiment label that fits right IN the label jar!

I also love that there is a larger version for your creations too!

On this one I used the Fruit Medley paper, and some Vintage Stripes paper. So summery to me! My ribbon is suede, and is just to die for. I enjoyed coloring my jelly jar!

OK so I didn’t make ANY lemon anything for this post! Instead I took the Maple Leaf in the set to complete my need to use ALL the images within the set!

9) Maple Sweet

Could you just die for this one? I love that is seems masculine, and so fall. Living in NH Fall leaves, and of COURSE Maple Syrup is a BIG part of our State! I love fresh Maple Syrup and of COURSE Maple candy! So I had to include my own version of a Maple Leaf.

As well as The ENTIRE collection of 6 Tea Parlor themed Pretty Printable Digital Papers!

And that is the very lucky

Lin |

Hi Lauren, I arrived here from Catherine’s blog, and I’m loving what I’m seeing! And I actually DID read all the way through – what good ideas you have – I LOVE your sunny citrusy cup card! I would love to win these products. My favorite tea is the Republic of Tea Honey Ginseng…..no sweetener needed, it’s wonderful!

Thanks to all of you for the kind comments! We have SO much more to share, so come on back!

My friend and fellow design team member Kristin is in the Air Force. I have so much respect for people and families who give so much of their life for our Country, so a big thank you to them.

I have a SIMPLE post for you today, just before our release on June 1st!

No worries I have TONS to share 😀

The WINNERS of the last 2 posts will be drawn later today. So stop back by later. There is still time to enter so don’t miss out!

NOTE: All products shared are from My Time Made Easy ™ LLC! The items you are previewing will not be available until June 1st!

After cramming so much in to the last two days I figured I’d keep it a bit lighter, if that’s OK! I’m so excited by you sharing my excitement! I have so many more wonderful things in the months to come too, it can be hard WAITING 😀

Now after yesterday’s project this *may* seem a bit inferior, but I promise you that this post is just as packed full of wonderful products for everyone! I am just so excited by all the possibilities with this release, and there is just so much more to come 😀

The name for this template came from the fact that it has the ability to sweetly store your tea bags in style, OR you have the option of using the front panel that is solid, so you can use to to hold a variety of other sweet treats! Now that is something great that will help you to make this template VERSATILE…..you can opt to use the solid front panel, which is included in the template for even MORE use. You will see details for that soon 😀

Finally a template the give and even proudly display your tea, but the choice is yours. Tea cut out, or no tea cut.

Either way the presentation will be stunning. (I will share versions of this template without the cut-out as the week progresses)

The cut out portion was designed so that tea bags fit out of the front slot, and can easily be pulled out. Just open the lid, and refill. Now your favorite tea can always be at your fingertips, and proudly displayed or gifted 😀

Front before….

I love the tab design! There are so many possibilities for decoration.

after….

This was decorated SO simply. I just layered on my Flutters and Flowers (polka dot) paper for the bottom panels.

HANDY TIP: You get a MUCH richer BLACK patterned cardstock if you chose to print using your BLACK ink ONLY.

I could have made a million “tea” themed cut files or templates, but decided to pick my favorites.

I can definitely see this sitting out on a counter ANYWHERE! Pretty & functional all in one. There is a sweet decorative tabbed closure, and the dual functionality of it being a box that is as wonderful, as it is versatile, makes this a MUST have!

There are SO many pattern options for this set! You can make so many different tea cups!

.

Here I chose to build my cup using the scallop trim, then stamping the stripped pattern. That pattern is so elegant and pretty, and is a perfect fit to my cup too.

For my bottom portion of the cup I used the swirly rose pattern, which I took the rose “buds” and colored/cut and put on dimensionals for some POP! There are some punches out in the market that fit perfect too! So no hand-cutting.

There you have it!!

The perfect Tea Tabbed Box!

Now how about a card?

I figure since I completed a video about creating your own tea patterns a card would be a nice additon

You make life sweet

You may recognize this one from the video! Simple but oh so SWEET.

I LOVE Cherries! Cherry flavored ANYTHING, and Cherry images. I also LOVE red, black, white & olive, so this card is SO pretty to me 😀

I’m back with day #2 of peek projects. Today is just as exciting as yesterday, so grab that cup of coffee (…..or tea :D) because I have 2 videos to share today, and a TON of project ideas!!!

You will CLEARLY see why I take some days off from posting! It isn’t because I’m doing “nothing”. I cram more into each hour than I sometimes think possible.

I have TWO videos (insert shocked face-sorry I took all of them on the wrong settings, so I swear next release they will be better quality-its NOT my camera, but user error! Story of my life), and a Giveaway-so keep reading! I’m just praying I don’t forget to include something!

NOTE: All products shared are from My Time Made Easy ™ LLC! Now the items you are previewing will not be available until June 1st!

When you are done here, you will want to be sure to stop by and visit :

Catherine Doucette She is debuting her very first stamp concept today ! So pay her a visit and congratulate her! This girl is a wealth of ideas 😀

Here is what she had to say:

I love tea! And I am so thankful that Lauren loved my vision for the tea set I wanted to design…a tea cup almost true size! Well, at least large enough to paper piece, or stamp with a bunch of different patterns, so you can create any tea cup you want! Perfect for get well cards, just thinking of you projects, birthday parties, baby shower…or come take a peek at the complete set I designed for a bridal shower!Don’t forget to stop by and see Pam Imholz

and Silke Ledlow -she debuts her FIRST project today!! Give her some love too! We are so excited to have Silke aboard 😀

Now you know we have a fruit/jam/jelly set with template combination for you (as seen yesterday). You all had me searching for recipes and items I never heard of before! YUM!! I will be sharing much more soon, for uses of the Well Preserved set.

We had previously spoke about her doing some concept/design work. This is partially why she left the creative part of the team. We’ve rolled over some ideas for future sets, in which there is a huge gap in the market, and would make for some GREAT coordinating gift packaging. Catherine sent me some of her sketches/ideas for the perfect tea set!

I have to say that Catherine’s take may have made this become a favorite for me. I don’t think I personally would have gone the route she wanted to take, but it all worked out so beautifully that I am glad she did.

This set is perfection for the tea lover! Making tea themed gifts, favors, cards, tags and other packaging couldn’t get any easier! Your cup will be overflowing with ideas and inspiration. We have a stunning tea cup, with the ability for you to use our several border pieces to create your own unique tea cup, each time you stamp!

For my tea cup I used the technique that you will see in the video below for my orange wedge.

I then cut out my cup layer, ensuring the orange would overhang my mat.

For my actual cup (which the front layer is on dimensional) I used one of the border images in the set (you will see a video on all the possibilities for that tomorrow!) and stamped my scallop layer. I then used my Copic markers to color in the scallops, and the bottom section of my cup. I created polka dots using my white Singlo gel pen. I also colored my cup, I also “colored” my “tea” in the cup too.

For my delicate floral border I took the flower/leaf images from the Fanciful Flourishes set to create my pattern! That is another thing I love about this cup! It is sized so nicely that you can incorporate all sorts of images from other sets to make so many various patterns on your tea cup! Limitless possibilities.

(Wait until you see what I did using the digital version of the set later this week!)

As you can see here is even a fruit wedge, that can rest perfectly on the edge of our tea cup.

Here is a video to show you how quick and easy that is to use!

The tea cup is about 2 1/2 inches tall, and 2 1/4 inches wide. This allows you to ability to use a variety or other stamps inside it, color it, or easily paper piece it too 😀 SO MANY OPTIONS!!

In this set you will also find a beautiful floral border, 2 beautiful tags, and several must have sentiments!

Note: I stamped one of the floral border in the set along the bottom of my tea cup 😀 A elegant touch!

Once again I turned to Argyle Amazement for the ability to create yet another stunning pattern.

I just inked up my flourished argyle pattern in a green pear ink, then used my pumpkin SU! marker to color the “flowers” in the pattern. Once stamped I stamped the solid diamond pattern in a cantaloupe ink, then added a tangelo ink to dot my connecting centers! Easy peasy.

OK moving on…….

As I stated about this set also has a coordinating cut file! (also used in the sample above for the 3 D effect.)

This file was designed to coordinate perfectly with the A Spot of Tea set, but can be used on it’s own as well. Now you can make your own tea cup shaped cards, tags, favors, and place cards in minutes!

The tea cup base in this file was made so the the “mat layer” fits the border images of the A Spot of Tea stamp set. The MAT layer is the exact size of the actual tea cup. The “tea cup” from the set wasn’t designed to stamp direct on the tea cup layer.

We also have a few amazing collections offered this month by the ever talented Kristin Bueter! More on those tomorrow 😀 Kristin is going on a short hiatus for military training, so we will miss her ( A LOT ) the next few weeks while she is gone :C

Every detail is included in the template: The handle, 3 dimensional spout, lid, and decorative panels.

Here is the lid top

I used the NEW! Pretty Impressions stamp set called Killer Curves: Fancy Frames! (this set also has a coordinating Pretty Pieces Cut File called Killer Curves) for the top decoration of my tea pot lid. I stamped the frame in a chocolate ink, then colored it in with my markers. I added a decorative button, in which my tag hangs from.

About Killer Curves: Fancy Frames Set of 7 images $20 This is an amazing collection of 4 large frames (with more to come) that work beautifully on their own, but were designed to coordinate with a Pretty Pieces Cut File called Killer Curves Label! You will fall in love with the Killer Curves labels, which was designed by Kristin Bueter! Each of the 4 large frames are about 2 1/4 inches around. The set features 3 corner pieces that were designed to perfectly fit the 4 corners of the Killer Curves Cut File or on ANY corner of your card, tag or template creation! A beautiful, yet simple addition! Be on the look out for even more frames in the future! (WINK)

The tag creates the designer element on the front of my tea pot. Its such a pretty & elegant tag. I stamped it in a chocolate ink, onto Santa’s Beard textured cardstock, then colored the border to match. I paper pieces some of the Sunflower Sprinkles paper to to tag top.

As well as The ENTIRE collection of 6 Tea Parlor themed Pretty Printable Digital Papers!

Simply leave a comment telling us your thoughts about the new products, projects, or share with us your favorite tea flavor, and/or your favorite cookie/treat/dessert to accompany tea! (or if you even read the whole thing-that would be nice to know! LOL!)

Winner will be announced Monday May 31st!

Now believe it or not, we have a few more “tea themed” items, but that will be saved for tomorrow 😀

Now the items you are previewing will not be available until June 1st!

(Note: So Sentimental has been out of stock-it is expected to be back IN STOCK next week-sorry!)

Today will be literally JAM packed with inspiration and ideas 😀 I’m very excited about this release, and have been on a creative streak after my medical hiatus! Wait until the days unfold with all the things I have in store for you. I may have been “away”, but I’ve been hard at work.

SO grab your coffee and get ready for some great ideas, a video, and a GIVEAWAY!

Well Preservedis an amazing collection of sentiments and images! You will fall in love with the fruit and sentiment co-ordinations and possibilities.

For this jar of strawberry preserves I used an adhesive sticker to cover my jar lid. I stamped it with the “lattice” image from the Puckered Up Patterns set, in a pear ink. The label is from the Well Preservedstamp set.

You will find so many wonderful uses for this set! Now personalizing your own homemade or (my personal choice) store bought jars of yumminess couldn’t get any more easy, affordable, and fun. I included just about every sort of fruit you can preserve, with many images and sentiments to match!

There are 2 style of canning jars. All the fruit images were made to fit within the canning jar stamp labels! As you can see by my sample above.

There are 2 great labels that can have many uses, like decorating your own canning jars, or for cards, tags, and other gift packaging, or they can be used for everyday occasions and gifts!

3 1/2 Inches Deep Another amazing and versatile template!This is the decorated version!There has never been a better way to package up your “jam, jelly, preserves” or other canned goodness!! But it doesn’t stop there, I promise. You will be presented with a variety of uses/ideas as the week progresses.This is a super gift box, with a unique and fun tab tuck in closure! No more floppy lid!

This was designed to hold your traditional 8 oz. (half pint) Ball Canning Jar, but it can be used for so much more!

Here is the view with the preserves inside!

Now for this template to become even MORE versatile you can simply cut off the jar holder panel and it becomes a great gift box, with a fun closure, OR change the size and shape of the cut out, prior to assembly, to allow you to gift all sorts of various treats!

NOTE: There WILL be a video HOW TO for that later this week 😀 NO WORRIES!

Whatever you “jam” in here, it is sure to be packed with love and surprise anyone!

Well that isn’t all of it. (I know! So much to share!! Think how long this took to TYPE)

Now the HOW TO for the “patterned” paper I made for my box top.

This is an awesome pattern that YOU can make with ANY of the images from the set, to coordinate with any project, tag, or card creations.

Simply change the fruit, and color options for a fresh and amazing new look each time.

That is everything I used to create this FAB project 😀 Winner will be announced Monday May 31st.

Thanks for taking the time to read through all this. I’ve really enjoyed creating all these projects so I hope you have gained some inspiration. I’m really excited to hear your thoughts as I share my projects with you this week.

Hope you are all having a great week as we head into the holiday weekend. I have a ton of loose ends to wrap up, but it will all get done somehow. The beginning of the week I was REALLY ill. The doctors thought my appendix may be ready to rupture, but it turned out to be a ruptured ovarian cyst. OUCH! Needless to say that put me out of commission a few days. Something I DO NOT have time for!! Plus my children have a ton of school related festivities that require my attention too! Busy, busy week. One thing I can say is my life is ALWAYS far from BORING!!

Update on my mom: Yesterday she had to sit before a jury of 20 where they read the reports, heard her/her husbands side of the story, and got to ask her questions. The point of all this was to determine if the charges her husband is facing is appropriate for the crime. They agreed to the initial (5 or so ) charges which include Attempted Murder, then the jury decided it appropriate to add a kidnapping charge since he held her in the office and in thier home for several hours, not allowing her to leave. We have his next hearing in 2 weeks. This is where they will decide if he can go free until his actual TRIAL, or if they will hold him until that time. Obviously whatever time he has served counts towards his sentence, but we are PRAYING that he is held until his trial, which isn’t for like 2 more YEARS (I think my mom said that long). My mom is on an emotional roller coaster and the endless reliving of the even is just draining. Everything she is having to do on her own is often overwhelming. So we are all doing what we can to keep her positive and focused. Take ONE DAY at a time.

I remind her of my most favorite saying: The journey of a 1,000 miles, begins with a single step.

OK back to it.

I am gearing up for the JUNE Release! Peeks projects will begin on the 29th. I may do a LITTLE peek tomorrow, to get you all guessing! This month is going to REALLY get you inspired for all sorts of cards, tags and gift giving. ESPECIALLY some great ideas for the end of year teacher gifts! You can never have too many ideas for those!

But, before I get into all that I have another sample that I had yet to share with you!

Simply Stamped

Tulips are my favorite flower. I think in the future (like next Spring) I will devote an entire set to tulips!

Here are some colors I LOVE! Gray, Sahara, pink and fuchsia. A very striking combination, that I RARELY ever use. This is also a very simple and clean layout.

I used the single circle pucker pattern from Puckered Up Patterns to create my border image. I layered the largest pucker X in between, so mimic a flower.

In between the puckered pattern, where it creates a diamond, I pierced a diamond in the center! I very simple touch that is sure to WOW! I really love the effect it has. You can do faux stitching in so many ways to get a whole nother variety of looks.

The pattern in particular reminds me of these little dresses my mom would put me in. They were called smock dresses I believe. They had a gathered and stitched pattern in the top. They were so cute (some of them). She ALWAYS put me in a dress! Usually a huge poofy dress. One day, I was maybe 5, I put my foot down. I said NO! I don’t want to wear that big poofy dress to school, I don’t like it, and I;m not wearing it. I really felt so strongly about it, and I remember sitting in the doorway of my closet crying and pleading with her to not make me wear it. All I wanted was some jeans and a shirt! Well, after what seemed like an eternity, there I was marching to school in my poofy dress. I was a strong willed little girl, and my mom was determined to win that fight.

I was so mad at her, that once I was in school, I went into the bathroom, then I took the laces out of my shoes, and tied them around my waist! LOL! To make like a “belt”, so my dress wouldn’t be so poofy. I can ONLY imagine what I looked like, but I was at least happy that the POOFY dress was now more “fitted”, if I HAD to wear it. I looked/felt like a umpaloopma every single day. Once I came out of school with my shoelace belt, I think that was the day my mom finally realized how much I hated them. I swear that is why I RARELY wear dresses or skirts! I’m a jeans girl all the way.

She also use to make me put curlers in my hair everyday! I think that is why I hate curly hair! LOL! It was pure torture. She would also use “rags”. You cut up your hubby’s old t-shirt, and roll and tie the hair in those. I think they did this in the 20’s? Anyway, while I look back on photos I always looked adorable, and I applaud my mother’s efforts, now that I have my own girls it’s a lot of work keeping up with that stuff. I think that is why I’m more willing to not MAKE my girls wear their hair certain ways (even when they look SO cute-unless its for a very special occasion) was because the years of “torture” hair curling, and frilly dresses.

Coupon not valid on previous purchases, and/or the purchase of any other Pretty Impressions stamp sets. Offer does not include shipping charges.

We have a graduation party to attend today. I hope I get a cash card made in time (EEK!) I will share it *if* I do!
I feel like the shoemakers family-you know what they say, the shoemakers family has no shoes! Well my family never gets a card! LOL! I HAVE to create something FOR someone. I can never just use what I have in my stash. It’s not even possible. I’ve tried and tried to get over it, but I can’t.

It doesn’t help that I have been in a HUGE card rut! That often happens with me designing so many templates, stamps and cut files! It can be hard to switch gears sometimes.

Any-who I wanted to share a card I made the other day with the 2 sets that are on sale 😀
Sometimes you just need a sweet lil’ hello card. Well that is IF you actually give/send cards, unlike ,myself who hoards them for months! I do later donate a huge box each year, so they go to a good cause…….

Hello there.

The ladybug from Sensational Stems is SOOOOO supah cute. I love it to pieces-LOVE! Sentiment is from Sensational Sentiments ( a must have set!). The ladybug parts make creating the dual colors, quick, fast and easy. I HAD to cut out the wings, and make them “open”. The ladybug circle is layered onto a stamped scallop circle from the Paper Pattern Pieces(on sale) set (the ink is Momento cantaloupe)

I adore these fresh summer colors!

Then I made my pattern. The BEST part eh? 😀

Seriously-how pretty is this??!! I want to make this pattern in like very color combination known to woman.

I stamped the 6 circle cluster twice in cantaloupe ink, so it became a 12 pk block. I then added the AWESOME spiral flower centers in Tangelo (by momento) from the Puckered Up Patterns (on sale)set. It makes the prettiest scallop-y patterned flowers. In between the “flower clusters” I stamped the X pucker pattern in green ink-which is in pear, I believe (also momento)

To add to the “ladybug flying around the flowers look” I used a large flourish from Fanciful Flourishes. A perfect touch, don’t you think?

Now that I keep looking at this, the *only* thing missing is some glitter, which I AM going to add to the “dots” on the wings.